MAYORWatch: Why Are There So Many Vehicles on the Road with Expired Tags?

Mayor Michael Victorino answers some of the most-asked questions submitted to his office staff.

Question: Why are there so many vehicles on the road with expired registrations and inspections? Safety reasons aside, it is not fair to those who pay to keep their vehicles properly compliant with county and state regulations. Can one expect the new administration to be more vigilant with all vehicles to ensure our safety?

Answer: Ensuring our roadways are safe and vehicles are properly documented are concerns I take very seriously. Everyone has a personal responsibility to follow the law and I will make sure the fine people at our Police Department enforce it for the benefit of our community.

I instructed my staff to
contact police about any issues regarding expired vehicle registrations and
safety inspections, and I was told it has been more difficult for officers to
spot expired tax decals in recent years due to changes in their color.
Previously, decals were more colorful and changed every year. Now, the decals
are only black and white.

While the black and white
decals rotate each year, it is more difficult for police officers to quickly
identify expired decals as they drive on the roadway. If an officer is on a
traffic stop and finds that either the vehicle registration or safety
inspection has expired, the officer will take appropriate action.

The fine for an expired
registration or safety inspection is $70.

As a friendly reminder, the
Department of Finance Division of Motor Vehicles recently unveiled its
self-service kiosk for vehicle registrations at the Maui Lani Safeway.
Residents can skip the line at the Maui County Service Center and easily update
their registrations, while shopping at the grocery store.

This kiosk literally takes
minutes and accepts payments from debit or credit cards, though, there is a 2.5
percent credit card fee. A kiosk
also has been installed at the Kahului Service Center, which accepts cash
payments as well as debit and credit cards.

We hope to add kiosks to Safeway stores at the Lahaina Cannery Mall and the Piilani Village Shopping Center in Kihei by the end of the month. For more information, contact the Division of Motor Vehicles call center at (808) 270-7363.

Want to Ask the Mayor? Submit your Maui County related questions to Mayor Michael Victorino by email at [email protected], by phone at 270-7855 or by mail at 200 S. High St., ninth floor, Wailuku 96793. Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask theMayor” column; to request a personal response to a concern, email [email protected]